Review: Celebration House by Annette Drake

Cover Source: GoodReads.com

Title: Celebration House

Author: Annette Drake

Series: 

Version Reviewed: Finished, eBook

Website: www.annettedrake.com

GoodReads Summary:

Carrie Hansen spent her life caring for cardiac patients. Little did she know she would become a patient herself. After recovering from her own heart surgery, she realizes she has a special gift: the ability to see and talk with the dead.
Now, with her new heart failing, she leaves the bustle of Seattle behind and returns to Lexington, Missouri, the small town where she spent her childhood. Here, she sets out to restore an abandoned antebellum mansion and open it as a venue for celebrations.
Carrie’s work is cut out for her. The 150-year-old Greek revival house is in need of serious repair. Her sister, Melanie, bullies Carrie into returning to Seattle, predicting “her little project” is doomed to fail. Finally, Carrie’s health gives out on her, requiring emergency surgery.
But she will not give up. Carrie’s unique gift allows her to build relationships with the mansion’s original occupants, especially Major Tom Stewart, the handsome Civil War soldier who died a hundred years before Carrie was born. He encourages and comforts her, though not in the physical way they both desire.
Then there’s the builder of the house, Colonel Bartholomew Stratton. If there’s one thing this 19th century horse trader cannot abide, it’s the living trespassing on his estate. He delights in scaring these intruders away, even if they are paying guests.
Will Carrie finish restoring Celebration House or will it finish her? And how can she plan a future with a man who only has a past?

When I received the request to review this book, I'll admit that I wasn't too sure about it.  After reading the synopsis for it, I decided to give it a chance.

Once I started reading Celebration House, I fell into it easily.  This book is very easy to get into and the characters are well defined and likable. They each have a separate personality that is really believable and works for the book.

I have to admit that though it's really well written, it seemed to fall a little flat at times.  There didn't seem to be any big arc or defining moment in the story line.

Also, I know the story isn't centered around it, but I think the relationship between Tom and Carrie could have been emphasized a little more.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and loved the characters.


Characters: Carrie & Violet.
Rating: 3 Stars.

*This book was provided for free by the author for review.